The Plot to Kill Paul

¹² The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy^(A) and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.^(B)

²¹ Don’t give in to them, because more than forty^(A) of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.^(B) They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”

¹⁴ They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.^(A)

¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law^(A) by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”^[a](B)

²² If anyone does not love the Lord,^(A) let that person be cursed!^(B) Come, Lord^[a]!^(C)

³ They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.^(A)

²³ And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”^(A)

²⁴ She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

²⁵ At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

²⁶ The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.